O3b Networks Plans Satellite Network for Internet Service

Google's name popped up again today in connection with a new announcement from a company named O3b Networks. Google is providing the financial backing for a constellation of 16 satellites planned for an equatorial orbit once launched. The satellites will provide Internet service to markets throughout Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East. Designed to provide speeds of up to 10 Gbps, O3b plans to offer the service to regional ISPs. In addition to Google, O3b has also lined up two other primary investors.